In Love With Orange

I am so in love with orange. Blue has always been my favorite color, but I feel I may be cheating on that dear old friend as of late, and finding myself more and more attracted to orange.

Why could this be?

Well did you know orange is the color of creativity and self expression? Makes sense.
It is also the color of ambition and fun. It is becoming clearer now why I think I am so drawn to this color.

These are cute little earrings made from vintage lucite beads, topped with turquoise and swarovski crystals.

 My work is defiantly reflecting this infatuation with this color. I have to stop myself when I am reaching for beads as I am making a new design, because it is almost always orange. I love these little orange glass and vintage tin earrings! So cute!

Should I put my orange bead away, and make myself work with other colors, or should I just go with the flow right now, because that is what I am really feeling??

And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind. 

Remember to explore, create, dream, imagine and discover!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Clusters, Clusters, CLUSTERS!!!!

I can't stop with the clusters. I am in love with them!

Each time you look at them, you find something new.

Each time you move, there is a tiny rustle from the beads. Like a tiny whisper - we are here!! Puts a confident spring in your step.

Solid colors, or color combinations, the list goes on and on. I think I may have found my niche :)

Glass and Copper Heart Necklace

I am thinking ahead to warmer weather. Projecting myself into the end of March, the first of April, with the green grass, and budding trees. The colors in this necklace take me there. Bright and springy.

Social Networking and Give Away!!!!!!

I am not going to reinvent the wheel or preach to the choir about social networking - we all do it - we blog, have facebook pages, twitter, pinterest and so much more. We are connected to the world now, and not just our local community. (how cool is that!) On Facebook, I follow several pages and groups that are kinda focused on what I do - crafting, shows, festivals and so forth. For example, Raleigh crafters: a group of crafters that share information on upcoming shows and festivals. Also we 'de clutter' we may have items that we no longer use, that are taking up space, or we are just plain tired of looking at. We use this group to network with other crafters and barter or sell items.

What groups do you follow that have helped you promote or grow your business?

That in mind - on the crafter group, I see a post from a fellow jewelry maker who is wanting to get rid of 'stuff'. I contacted her, but too late, and she had already ear marked the items to other people. She did however keep my email, and yesterday I got an email that she had more things, a box full, would I want them.....*blink* *blink* hell0 :) of course I do. All this for 10 bucks!

Strands of stone, glass and glass pearls.

Links, charms, jump rings, crimp tubes, bead caps and cones.

E

Earrings she had already made

Necklaces she had made

zipper pulls

I don't know how to explain the brilliance of this piece. She says, maybe you can do something with it, you could use the seed beads in something else....Nope - keeping it just like it is - I have to have this!!!!

A fresh water pearl stretchy bracelet she was going to re purpose

It was fun to dig thru it and see what treasures were in this little box.

I have to share the fun!!!!! These items, plus some fun not pictured!  Leave a comment on my blog to be entered! I will be opening this up to my Facebook fans as well. Drawing will be on Sept 15, 2012.
Are you a fan of my facebook page? Like the post that is about this giveway, and I will add another entry for you :)

Copper, Dyed Agate, Bronzite and Glass Necklace

Take me back to 1972, and the hippies who used to live up the road from us. That live in the moment, take life as it comes, the universe will provide way of thinking, and you will see the inspiration for this necklace.

I love random designs, and how they tell a different story depending on who is looking at it.  You may have to turn your head from one side to the other to 'see' it, but it will speak to you :)

ArtBeads ‘What’s Old is New Again!’ Blogger Challenge

Hey, remember this?



BS-0038 6x8mm Dark Amber and Opaque Sky Blue with Picasso Roundel Bead Strand *

SW-BD245 Stoneware Brown with Light Blue Daisies Tube Bead *

LMP-0146 Yellow and Orange Roundel Beads (7 pcs) *

CR-RL131 5x4mm Opaline Yellow Roundelle Strand *

I got a great selection of fun items from ArtBeads for their 'What's Old is New Again' challenge. I got the new beads from Artbeads and am using an blue glass necklace of my mom's as the old.

I found these earrings that I had picked up last year when I was in St. Louis visiting my daughter from a thrift store and added them to the mix last minute.


I was really aprehensive about popping that necklace apart, but I finally did it! Here is the 'mess' of inspiration!



Let me tell you how much fun I had with this challenge. All of these colors are so bright and cheery, I didn't want to stop this morning!

Are these adorable or what!!!!! I can't help but smile when I see them.



Fun and bright, simply knotted hemp necklace. This is casual, but with an attitude :) It flirts with a tshirt and says "I dare you" with a plunged neck sundress - can you wear it?


and to complete the perfect summer ensemble, a bold and chunky bracelet.



I am not done!! I have more coming tomorrow!


What would you have made?


Want to see more creations inspired by the What's Old is New Again challenge? Check out ArtBeads Facebook page!!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

New Fun From Art Beads!

Got my blogger packet from Art Beads!!!!

The 'Colors of Fall' is the theme for this go round in the blogging program.

I used the Pantone color palette as a guide for making choices from all the wonderful Art Beads products. Using this guide helped me step out of my fall comfort zone of warm greens and burgundies (that I seem to gravitate to all year) and brighten up my choices for fall.























I wanted to tie in copper with all of these colors to keep it warm. I am going to have to force myself to work these into other projects, because I could use these beads all in one sitting on one necklace!!!

















Here's what I got!

CA-2181 - TierraCast Copper Antique Celtic Weave *
BC-CL012 - Copper Simple S Clasp *
BC-CL011 - Copper Small Plain S Clasp *
BC-CL013 - Copper Rotated S Clasp *
481069 - 4x3mm Imitation TurquoiseHeishi Strand *
LTD-1574 - Dusty Purple Shell Rectangle *
FPS-PI-WHT8 - Fire-Polished Bead 8mm White Picasso * (LOVE THIS!)
FPS-PI-OTU8 - Fire-Polished Bead 8mm Opaque Turquoise * (LOVE THIS!)
CA-2304 - TierraCast Antique Copper Tree of Life Pendant * (LOVE THIS!)
BCA-CL03 - 12x6.5mm Antique Copper-Plated Trigger Clasp*



*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Not Knots!! or How memory wire saved my life

I am going into a busy busy time. I have something every weekend from now till the week before Christmas. On top of that I have product in five stores and have to get them ramped up for their holiday shopping.

I don't have enough time!!

I need something quick that will bulk out my inventory, give my customers a choice and work in a retail setting as well.

Something that I can crank out without looking like it came off of an assembly line.

*think* *think*

One thing I get quite a call for and haven't been able to provide to my customers are elastic bracelets. I cant' tie a knot to save my life. I have gotten some great tips from my readers when I reached out for advice on just this very problem a while back, sadly, my fear of elastic has kept me from trying any.

While at Walmart yesterday, I did a quick stroll thru the craft department (one of the few Walmarts that still has a craft dept.) and I saw memory wire. Me and memory wire don't have the greatest history. I used it years ago, when I first started making jewelry, and didn't understand the principles of it and became very frustrated. I thought I would try it again. I got a 5' coil for $2.67. It was worth the risk.

This morning I played around with a couple ideas when the flood gates opened. Out of that 5' length of memory wire, I got six bracelets! They are fun and versatile. No clasp to worry about and no knots!

Here's what I used:

Vintage Italian Lucite Marbled Red w/ White Rounds 12mm 20pc *- A Beadin Path
Glass pearls- Walmart
Bright Sterling Silver Twisted Jump Rings, approx 8mm - Sedona Stones
Round banded agate
Square banded agate
Czech Fire Polished Bead Jet 6mm - Art Beads
Faceted jasper roundelle
Sterling beads
Faceted AB Czech crystal
Repurposed black crystal
Black seed beads

Spice jasper round beads approx.12mm -Sedona Stones
Sterling daisy spacers
Glass pearls - Walmart

Coral
Dyed Magnesite
Sterling daisy spacers


Re purposed wood beads
Sterling barrels
6mm howlite - Rings & Things



Round Snowman Head (Limited Stock) (White) Glass Bead *- Rings & Things
Re purposed plastic beads
Seed Beads

Thanks for stoppin by!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things and Beadin Path were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Fashion show and 'Purpose Pendants'

The last couple of weeks I have been focusing on getting inventory up for the show I did on Saturday. Now that it is done, I start work on making pieces for a fashion show at the end of the month. I want the pieces to be a great accessory, but also make a statement. I began to sort through my beads and categorize them out into groups so I can begin building.

I found this and squealed, how can I go wrong with this!! I am really excited about this one in particular. Last month I placed an order to Rings & Things to get components for a special order. While I was shopping for the pieces parts I found this Chevron Glass Bead, 30mm Round. It makes my heart happy. It was on closeout, I couldn't let it go and take a chance of it not being here when I 'got around to shopping for myself'. So I snagged it up. and boy howdy am I pleased!



I couldn't say no. I love it so!!!

Here is a better picture to give you an idea of the size of this baby - Look how beautiful!!!



I paired it up with this great bead assortment, since I had a blast working with the bead assortment that was sent as part of the blogger challenge. I have an idea in my head, off center, and multi stranded of course :) I should have it ready to go in a couple of days.





I have started making what I call "Purpose Pendants" The pendants are themed by the quality of the stones. I didn't want to call them talismans because that word carries so much baggage. I wanted to make a line of pendants that served a purpose. When you wear them you are aware of the theme intended for that pendant, and hopefully that pendant will make you aware of those qualities and help you through your day.

Peace in the Wend
Laboradorite - peace
Turquoise - peace
Citrine - peace
Moonstone - peace








Love in Abundance
Amethyst- eases money issues and leads to abundance
Carnelian - good luck
Pearl - faith
Garnet - love
Citrine - success






Off to put more stuff up on the site.

Till tomorrow kids!

Art Beads Prize - OMG

I played the Tweet your Prize (you should too!)from the Art Beads blog, and won!

I won the Murano Glass 40mm Blown Glass Millefiori Bead - Black and White

You can't believe how beautiful this bead is. My jaw dropped when I saw it. This picture and the description on the site do not do it justice - this is something you have to see in person.

Look at the size of this bad boy -



It almost fills my palm. The detail is stunning - it is not just the glass that is colored to look that way - it is textured - little divets, for a lack of better word, in the bead and in each one a swirl.



Do you see that?!?!



My mind is racing with ideas, and I look at it, and everything comes to a screeching halt. It is too beautiful!

THANK YOU ART BEADS!!!!!!

Introducing - Basking Tabby

This is the piece I am donating to the auction for a local no kill shelter - Safe Haven.

This is a no kill shelter for cats, so I wanted the piece to have a 'theme' of sorts w/o being kitschy.

*think* *think*

I am attracted to the warmth of orange, so I decided to go with carnelian, tiger eye, some fun glass to stay with orange -

Hey - Tabby's are orange....I have an orange tabby.

I based a lot of this design on my tabby - Zeus. General consensus has it that orange tabbies are the most affectionate and loving of all cats. Blame it on the color. If you have or have had an orange tabby you know what I am talking about. They have to be near you all the time, be in your face, touch you, follow you, talk to you, rub on you, lay in your clothes, follow you, panick when they can't see you - needy is a good word.

In this design I used that 'personality' of my Zeus to create a draped and lazy front design. He has to drape across me or my work at all times.

Here it is -



Basking Tabby - carnelian, tiger eye, white jade, magnesite, and millefiori glass from Sedona Stones.



Close up of the sterling cat clasp from Artbeads.com



Close up of the sterling cat charms that are tucked in the design, also from Artbeads.



And as always - Zeus walking thru at least one of my shots.............